Do you feed wild birds?

[blueroseaviary]

This is interesting, I have never heard of this parasite. Can anyone here validate this story?

> TRICHOMONIASIS, DOVES - USA (CALIFORNIA)(03)
> ************************************
>> Date: 25 May 2004
> From: Jorge Diaz <DesertWoodrat@aol.com> [edited]
>
>
> Trichomoniasis is spread in the wild bird population often by well-meaning
> people feeding birds. It takes only one badly infected bird to start the
> spread of the protozoa parasite to others sharing the same feeding site
> and/or water source. Most people, unfortunately, have no idea what this
> disease is, how it is spread, or what part they may play in
Trichomoniasis'
> spread.
>
> Infected birds will continue to attempt to eat seeds or drink water, even
> though their throats are often blocked by the parasite, because they are
> starving or dying of thirst, in addition to the infection.
>
> The parasite multiplies within the animal, increasing its tumor-like mass
> in the bird, while eating the bird's flesh (thus the smell), and usually
> chokes off their throats, thus the inability to eat or drink.
>
> When these infected birds regurgitate the seeds, the seeds are covered
with
> the 'infective ooze' caused by and containing the parasite. Other birds
> then ingest these now deadly regurgitated seeds, become infected, and
> repeat the same process, thus infecting bird after bird that shares the
> same feeder or water source. Any nestlings are also infected with the
> disease their parents have.
>
> Any bird that comes in contact with the parasite can get the disease.
Often
> other wild birds that become infected and die with the disease -- like
> doves -- aren't noticed, because they tend to go off and die 'in private,'
> under bushes, and other more covered areas.
>
> I just retired as a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, and I have received
> woodpeckers, finches, sparrow, doves, hawks, you name it, with
Trichomoniasis.
>
> Once Trichomoniasis gets into the wild population, it can spread like
> wildfire. Most of the time only doves and pigeons are found, for they
tend
> to die in the open, whereas other bird species seek cover when ill and
> dying; but usually many other species of bird in the same area are also
> infected and die.
>
> Unfortunately, there is little public information or warnings regarding
> what people can do to help prevent the spread of this disease, or at least
> not contribute to it.
>
> I wish all stores selling bird feeders and bird seed were required to
> inform people about the disease, and give them an information pamphlet
> about how it is spread, and what to do to prevent problems. Local news
> media and state governments could also do more to inform the public about
> this disease and how to prevent its spread.
>
> At one time, in Tucson, Arizona, the news stations all did at least one
> story about the problem every spring, but have not done so for at least 3
> years. Local game and fish departments should really be doing more
> proactive education and working with the news media to get this
information
> out.
>
> People are going to feed birds no matter what is said, so it is important
> for as many people as possible to know about this disease, its prevention,
> and their part in it.
>
> In addition, adult pigeons do die from the disease. Most birds that
> contract the disease do die from it, but usually not before they have
> spread it to other birds, including their young.
>
> The disease can also spread to any part of the body (though usually stays
> in the digestive tract). This protozoa parasite can also be spread
through
> droppings.
>
> Trichomoniasis has been running rampant in my area (Tucson, Arizona). I've
> seen cases all winter, which rarely happens. Usually Trichomoniasis rears
> its ugly head in the spring, but this past year, it was ever-present.
>
> I personally do not recommend using bird feeders and water bowls. I
> recommend providing a trickling water source, with the water outlet
> slightly off the ground (average bird beak height), where water does not
> form a stagnant pool, so there is not a 'reservoir' of infected water.
>
> Most birds like to drink water close to the source. The water does not
> have to run all the time, but at least twice a day, and strongly enough to
> flush away any potential protozoa; the flow soaks quickly into the ground.
>
> If someone is going to provide seed, I recommend spreading the seed out
> over a large area, in the sun, and vary the location to some degree daily.
> The birds are less densely congregated, so one infected bird has less
> chance of infecting other birds. One infected bird using a feeder can
> leave the parasite on the feeder seed outlet, so not only are seeds the
> bird has regurgitated covered with the parasite, but any bird feeding at
> the bird feeder could pick up the disease. Bird feeders can increase the
> number of birds infected.
>
> Stores selling bird feeders don't like to hear this, but there is really
> more money in selling seed over time anyway. I haven't addressed
'elitist'
> feeders, who want to feed certain types of birds, but if they care about
> the birds' lives, the feeders must go.
>
> I do not write well, so I am hoping someone with heart and writing skills
> might consider writing such an informative pamphlet that could be made
> available to anyone, especially the local Game and Fish Departments, and
> any type of 'feed stores.' I would be willing to share what I know, and
> I'm sure others know more, or could add additional information.
>
> --
> Jorge Diaz
> Recently retired licensed wildlife rehabilitator
> <desertwoodrat@aol.com>
>
> [see also:
> Trichomoniasis, doves - USA (CA) (02) 20040514.1305
> Trichomoniasis, doves - USA (CA) 20040512.1286]
> .................tg/pg/mpp
>
>
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[Monica]

The name of the disease sounds familiar, but I don't remember anything on it...

[The Outlaw]

I do feed wild birds, about 1500 feet away from my house. I never feed my birds' leftovers to wild birds and hope no one else does either. Our birds may well pass on awful diseases and vice versa. We need to keep them seperate in every possible way.

THE OUTLAW

[JTG]

We just had a warning about this same thing with the birds here in So. Ca. posted in the newspaper a week or so ago. I do feed the wild birds but do spread it around rather than using a feeder. I like watching them eat scattered food better anyway. I do provide water but it is not only for the birds but the rabbits, coyotes and other critters as well. I can't see taking away a water source when it is used by all. I do clean the water daily though and hope it never becomes a problem for the critters who rely on a constant water source as it gets mighty hot here in the summer with the temps ranging anywhere from 105 to 127 with the heat index actually reaching 147 some days. This parasite does seem to be spreading though so if you do feed the wild birds, please do take precautions.

[smallonion]

I feed wild birds here. We have loads of blackbirds, tons of starlings, so many bluetits, some Eurpoean robins, goldfinches, sparrows, etc. But I live in the inner city - I don't have a backyard or a even a car (don't need one, just hop on the subway), so I use a feeder with suction cups stuck on my window. I love watching them.

With the pollution, filth, garbage, etc around here, I suspect these are some hardy city birds. But now I'll worry. I wonder what else I can do?

Michele

[Crebain]

Yes I do, though not intentionally. I released some feeder goldfish into the holding pond that feeds the marsh behind my house.In the 3 years since, they have multiplied into the thousands.

Now I have a green heron that has "set up shop", and is eating them like popcorn.

[SavvyMoon]

OK, so the bottom line here is... feeding wild birds is not the *cause* of this disease... it's just (allegedly) a danger for the spreading of the disease by being a place for birds to congregate because they all come to eat from and around a feeder?

Hmmm... Well, I have always been one to be skeptical of alarmist warnings and hysterical panics, and well- I could be wrong, but that's what this smells like to me.

Most birds are flockers... they *naturally* congregate at every well stocked feeding or drinking place; be it a bird fancier's feeder in a yard, a nice big mulberry tree, heavy with new fruit, a farmer's garden or corn field, or the edge of a pond, rain puddles, etc.

I just don't see how one can justify not feeding wild birds, especially during times of scarce food and water, just because there's a -questionably-slightly higher risk of an sick bird possibly infecting others in or around a bird feeder.
I think the risk is just about the same whether its a bird feeder or some other source of food, as mentioned before.

PS; Just to clarify: I'm not saying I'm skeptical regarding the disease described in the warning message posted, I'm just very skeptical that people taking down bird feeders or bird baths would have much effect at all on the spreading of the disease.
Diseases just have to run their course, much as we hate to see it happen that way. The fittest will survive and the species will be stronger for it in the end.

[blueroseaviary]

Originally Posted by smallonion

I feed wild birds here. We have loads of blackbirds, tons of starlings, so many bluetits, some Eurpoean robins, goldfinches, sparrows, etc. But I live in the inner city - I don't have a backyard or a even a car (don't need one, just hop on the subway), so I use a feeder with suction cups stuck on my window. I love watching them.

With the pollution, filth, garbage, etc around here, I suspect these are some hardy city birds. But now I'll worry. I wonder what else I can do?

Michele

Hi Michele,

I don't think you should run out and pull down your bird feeders. I have a very small yard and I don't feed wild birds. My dog would scare them all away anyway. My next door neighbor feeds the humming birds, she is retired and has the time to clean the feeder everyday so that no fungus grows.

I am not sure in what areas or countries this parasite is a problem in. Just keep an eye out and an ear open. I had no idea that a parasite could be spread in this manner so I learned something new.

Outlaw I think has the best idea, keep the wild bird feeders a good distance from the house to keep the possibility of contaminating the inside birds to an absolute minimum.

And as Heather said, be sure to wash your hands very well after servicing the outside bird feeders. Better yet, tend to the inside birds first then the outside bird feeders. In addition to washing hands it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a pair of "backyard" shoes that stay in the back yard and never come into the house. You can track bird diseases in on your shoes. If you are concerned that there may be a problem in your area I would even go as far as showering and changing clothes as an extra precaution after servicing the outside birds.

[blueroseaviary]

Originally Posted by Crebain

Yes I do, though not intentionally. I released some feeder goldfish into the holding pond that feeds the marsh behind my house.In the 3 years since, they have multiplied into the thousands.

Now I have a green heron that has "set up shop", and is eating them like popcorn.

Well send us pictures!

[Crebain]

I'll try over the weekend. He's very shy, but I think maybe getting used to me a bit. I try to imitate his croaking.